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NEWS

Three British backpackers die after falling off waterfall in Vietnam

Christian Sloan, who was found dead alongside Izzy Squire and Beth Anderson at the Datanla waterfall in Vietnam

10:51 27 Feb 2016
Newstalk
10:51 Saturday 27 February 2016

Two British women who died at a waterfall in Vietnam are half-sisters Izzy Squire and Beth Anderson, say Sky sources.

They were found dead with former Royal Navy sailor Christian Sloan at the Datanla waterfalls, near Dalat, in the country's central highlands.

The three UK backpackers were swimming near the waterfall when they were swept over a 60ft precipice, say local reports.

Their bodies were recovered downstream and taken to Ho Chi Minh City, 100 miles south of Dalat.

Vo Anh Tan, deputy director of the company which manages the tourist spot, said they were not with an official guide and did not use proper safety equipment.

The guide - named by Vietnamese news website Tuoi Tre as 26-year-old Dang Van Sy - is being questioned by police.

He reportedly told officers the three Britons were wearing life jackets when they were swept away by a strong current.

He said he tried in vain to revive them.

Le Viet Luc, director of a company that runs tours to the site, said: "They fell into the stream of this waterfall and died after being hit by violent waters."

Ms Squire, 19, and Ms Anderson, 25, were from the Sheffield area, and had been in Vietnam for less than a month.

A man travelling with Mr Sloan, 24, from Kent, said he is "devastated" by the accident.

James McGlashan, who reportedly did not go on the waterfall trek because he was unwell, thanked friends and well-wishers for their support.

"Thank you for all the messages flooding in, have just stopped in the ambulances for a toilet break so only have wifi for 10 minutes but will try and get back to everyone once I get to Ho Chi Minh City," he wrote on social media.

"Thank you for all your support. Devastated RIP Sloan."

Mr Sloan's family said his death is "a very sad loss to us" and he "lived for life".

They added: "He was a very popular young man, formerly in the Royal Navy, who had many, many friends not just locally but around the world."